Men's Golf

Just eight strokes back after day one at NCAA Championships

Alex Wrenn

May 16, 2017

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. - Only 11 strokes separated the top 15 teams after the first day at the 2017 NCAA Men's Golf Championships. The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's golf team came in at 301 (+13) despite the wind to sit in a tie for 11th out of 42 teams. The leader, Huntingdon College, sits at +5 after the first round. The Stags started on the 10th hole of the Las Colinas Golf Course at the Mission Inn Resort & Club and were paired with Webster and Manhattanville.

Playing in his first National Championships, freshman Harrison Brenner (CMC) jumped out to a hot start shooting even par through the first nine. He birdied two of the first three holes and ultimately led the team with 12 pars on the day.

Sophomore Alex Wrenn (CMC), and juniors Matt Shuman (CMC) and Jonathan Shaw (CMC) each were just 2-over during the back nine. Wrenn then found a rhythm for the front nine and tallied three birdies to finish the round at even par and in a tie for 10th in the field of 215. Shuman had an impressive six consecutive pars and wrapped up the first day with a 76.

Junior Johnny Brandt (CMC) started off with a trio of pars but then a double on No. 13 led to four bogeys to finish off the back nine. Brandt ended up posting a 79 on the day after rallying for 2-over on the front nine.

Tomorrow, CMS remains paired with the same teams, but will play on the El Campeon Course with the early 7:30 a.m. EDT tee time. After Wednesday's round, the top 18 teams and six individuals remain in the field to play on Thursday and Friday.